Mobilizing paramilitary troops cheaper than regular soldiers

MANILA, Philippines—Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon said Tuesday that mobilizing more from the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) would be cheaper than hiring regular soldiers.

In an interview with Susan K and Den Macaranas of “Good Morning Inquirer” on Radio Inquirer 990AM, Biazon said that mobilizing regular soldiers was expensive in terms of cost, considering that they are entitled to pensions when they retire and also because it was more difficult to demobilize regular soldiers.

“ . . . Kasi habang tumatagal ang regular soldier ay napo-promote pa. Kaya pag nag-retire yan at the end of his term, ang pension niyan [malaki],” he said, compared to CAFGU members who were only entitled to a subsistence allowance, and death benefits.

Biazon estimated that CAFGU members were from 70,000 to 80,000.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.